Hess deserves credit for Dover's success

I think the only way you can describe Dover Athletic’s charge to the Ryman Premier League title is ‘stunning’.
The Whites, under the leadership of former Gillingham legend Andy Hessenthaler, romped to the league title with a 6-0 win against play-off hopefuls Sutton United last Saturday.
You only have to look at the stats and the league table to see how dominant Dover have been this year. As it stands, the Whites have won the title with five games remaining, had just three league defeats and are on the verge of clocking up 100 points.
Many people were convinced Dover would win the league at Christmas as they boasted a lead of 25 points over their nearest rivals Staines Town. However, Hessenthaler knew the job was nowhere near finished.
A lot of credit has to be given to Hessenthaler. He has gathered a group of players who fight for every cause and to top it off, play attractive football. People will say the Dover boss has had a large budget, but at the end of the day, a team wins a title not a group of highly talented individuals. A team with an incredible work ethic is certainly what Hessenthaler has produced.
With Dover’s history full of highs and lows, what is happening at the club must be a delight for the large army of Dover supporters. They know all too well how close the club came to folding so as a football fan I am pleased for them.



I suppose the real test for Dover will begin next season in Blue Square South, where the level of football will rise again. However, after watching the Whites’ relentless charge to promotion this season and the level of football they can produce, I doubt they’ll struggle next year.
In fact, I think if you put the Dover squad in this year’s Blue Square South they would have finished not far short of the play-off positions, which just goes to show their class.
Hessenthaler has shown his eye for players this season with the arrivals of the lively Jerahl Hughes and the experienced Guliano Grazioli, who have helped Dover keep a step ahead of the competition. I am sure he is already thinking about who he would like to bring to the club for a brand new adventure, which begins in August.
I have to agree with Dover chairman Jim Parmenter when he said it is a special story unfolding at Dover and it will not be long before we will all be talking about the Whites in the Football League.